Instantiation Semantics for Process Models

Although several process modeling languages allow one to specify processes with multiple start elements, the precise semantics of such models are often unclear, both from a pragmatic and from a theoretical point of view. This paper addresses the lack of research on this problem and introduces the CASU framework. The contribution of this framework is a systematic description of design alternatives for the specification of instantiation semantics of process modeling languages. We classify six of the most prominent languages by the help of this framework. Our work provides the basis for the design of new correctness criteria as well as for the formalization of EPCs and extension of BPMN. It complements research such as the workflow patterns.

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